Favela Chic: Booze Island: Paris

When W4's Booze Island heard that Paris' Favela Chic had opened up in London the expectations level was set high. The London location of the Brazilian party den is situated in what used to be the Grand Central bar in Shoreditch, East London. The Favela workers have done an excellent job converting the space from a cold, modern lounge into a wood floored, caparinha swilling, Brazilian jungle with two storey high ceilings a finely tuned soundtrack. By far, the highlight of the ironically named Favela Chic is the music - as just about everywhere in London nowadays can now make a decent mojito or caparinha. The DJ who sits perched 15 feet above the restaurant/bar spins a mix of Brazilian sounds, rock, and funk which draws a bar owner's treasured demographic mix of attractive artsy types, potentially a couple of dancing models, and a few frustrated bankers who throw enough money around to make everyone happy except themselves. Unfortunately on a recent Saturday evening we spotted only a handful of Cariocas. Either way, Brazil is always worth the trip if not only to enjoy the scenery.

+Wikipedia: Cariocas.
+Favela Chic London, 91- 93 Great Eastern Street, London +44 207 613 5228.
+W4 Suggests: Caparinha's poolside at: Copacabana Palace, Avenida Atlântica 1702, Rio de Janeiro, +55 21 2548 7070.
+W4 Suggests: Brazil NYC: Churrascaria Plataforma, 316 W 49th St, New York +1 212 245-0505. Also with Tribeca location.
+W4 Suggests: Brazil: Porcao, various locations worldwide.